Topic:  Subordinate Union Towards Princely States Policy., Account for the shift from the policy of subordinate Isolation : Examine!

The British Government adopted the policy of subordinate union towards Indian princely states from 1857 to 1835. The policy of annexation was abandoned by them and right to adopt heir was accepted. The Act of 1858 transferred powers into the hands of the crown. The authority of Princes over their territory were not accepted as their right but as gift from the paramount power.

Further, the fiction of the Indian princes standing on a status of equality with the crown as sovereign independence states finally came to an end. The crown also exercised the right to regulate the status and statues of the Indian princes in all matters of ceremonials. The British Government has right to interfere in internal spheres of states as well as external controls over them. Princes were required to work side-by-side with the Governor General of India, it was Lord Curzon’s approach and view. All these new schemes resulted in a integrated Indian three categories by the chamber of Princes, further.

(a) Directly represented
(b) Represented through representatives
(c) Jagirs or feudal holdings.

To take princes in confidence as under the policy of subordinate isolation this shift was made. Whenever and whichever possible the company annexed states. To use these princely states as break waters in political storms if arise in future, this policy of subordinate union was adopted. Due to their loyalty to the British Government in the 1857 revolt, they were given comparatively liberal treatment.

The Indian Rebellion of 1857 was a major, but ultimately unsuccessful, uprising in India between 1857–58 against the rule of the British East India Company, which functioned as a sovereign power on behalf of the British Crown. The event is known by many names, including the Sepoy Mutiny, the Indian Mutiny, the Great Rebellion, the Revolt of 1857, the Indian Insurrection, and India's First War of Independence.

Useful Links

• Princely State

• List of Princely States of British India (by region)

• Indian Rebellion of 1857